How Far Does a Motorcycle Travel When Hearing a Siren at 90% Frequency?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the distance a motorcycle travels when the rider hears a siren at 90% of its stationary frequency. The motorcycle accelerates from rest at 2.81 m/s², while the speed of sound is 343 m/s. To solve this problem, participants emphasize the importance of the classical Doppler effect and its formulas for a moving observer. The relationship between speed, wavelength, and frequency is crucial for determining the motorcycle's distance when the frequency heard is diminished.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical mechanics, specifically acceleration and distance calculations.
  • Familiarity with the Doppler effect and its mathematical formulations.
  • Knowledge of sound wave properties, including speed, frequency, and wavelength.
  • Basic algebra skills for manipulating equations and solving for unknowns.
NEXT STEPS
  • Review the classical Doppler effect formulas for moving observers and sources.
  • Practice problems involving acceleration and distance calculations in physics.
  • Explore the relationship between frequency, wavelength, and speed of sound in various mediums.
  • Consult the provided reference link for additional context on the Doppler effect.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding sound wave behavior and the Doppler effect in real-world scenarios.

neoking77
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a motorcycle starts from rest and accelerates along a straight line at 2.81m/s^2. the speed of sound is 343 m/s. a siren at the starting point remains stationary. how far has the motorcycle gone when the drive hears the frequency of the siren at 90.0% of the value it has when the motorcycle is stationry?

sorry...i really do not understand this chapter and have no clue how to solve it, and i don't know where to begin..any help/clues would be appreciated. thanks
 
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A useful relationship is:
speed of sound = wavelenth*frequency.
If your moving away from the source, the frequcy will go down (the time between peaks goes up). So if your moving away and take a look at the soundwave comin' at you it seems slower.
 
neoking77 said:
a motorcycle starts from rest and accelerates along a straight line at 2.81m/s^2. the speed of sound is 343 m/s. a siren at the starting point remains stationary. how far has the motorcycle gone when the drive hears the frequency of the siren at 90.0% of the value it has when the motorcycle is stationry?

sorry...i really do not understand this chapter and have no clue how to solve it, and i don't know where to begin..any help/clues would be appreciated. thanks

The classical Doppler effect (that's all you have to worry about at this stage) has got two formulations, one for a moving observer and another for a moving source. First you have to decide which this is.

Then quote the formula for the apparent frequency in terms of the real frequency, and we'll go from there. All this should be in your textbook, if not, here's a reference : http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/physics/u5c32phy.html
 
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